NIFCA @50 Legacy E-Magazine

A collection of visual vignettes and story snippets capturing some of the memories and moments of the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) in one publication: while no single document can truly encapsulate the breadth and depth of Barbados’ premiere arts festival since its establishment a half-century ago, the NIFCA @50 Legacy E-Magazine comes the closest. In just over 50 pages, this landmark publication highlights the journey of NIFCA from humble beginnings to its current status as a global platform for cultural expression and a marketplace for Barbadian cultural goods and services. It serves as a testament to the Festival’s enduring impact on the cultural identity of Barbadians and in promoting their heritage to the world. Started in 1973 as a dais for Barbadians to explore their cultural identity through the arts in the post-independence nation-building period, NIFCA has evolved over five decades to reflect, showcase and encourage new and emerging identities, innovative artistic forms and expressions while at the same time providing a space for minority groups to be represented on the national stage.

The NIFCA @50 Legacy E-Magazine features the voices of NIFCA’s memory bearers, the people who started NIFCA, including members of the original organising committee, and those who worked to help it grow over the last five decades. It comprises a vivid collection of archival photographs and newspaper clippings – mainly from the Nation Newspaper – that captures the early years of the Festival, the pioneers behind its creation, and some of the most memorable performances. You’ll see the highlights of NIFCA by the decade, innovations to the Festival, some challenges, by-products like the NIFCA Arts Camp, the craft market, the visual art exhibitions, the culinary marketplace, and the inclusion of minority communities like the disabled and prisoners. It also illustrates NIFCA’s role in promoting Barbadian culture globally and presents examples of how the festival has helped local artisans, musicians, and artists reach international markets.
 

The NIFCA @50 Legacy E-Magazine can be found on the NCF’s website at https://ncf.bb/nifca-remembering-50-years-of-excellence/#dflip-df_37687/1/
 

For more information, contact Research Officer, Michelle Springer at 417-6628 or by email at michelle-springer@ncf.bb. (PR)